❓ Ms. Saffioti raises safety concerns regarding London-style taxis in Perth. Minister Nalder defends the cabs, stating they meet Australian standards and were approved by the previous Labor government, addressing brake concerns and highlighting positive community reception.
AnsweredQoN 436Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TAXIS —
LONDON-STYLE CABS — SAFETY CONCERNS
436. Ms R. SAFFIOTI to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to safety concerns expressed
by taxidrivers in relation to the London–style taxi cabs being operated
on Perth roads.
(1) In light
of the concerns raised yesterday, what is the government doing to ensure that
these cabs are safe for the travelling public?
(2) What
assessment did the government undertake before it committed money to the trial?
(3) Will the
minister now ensure that these cabs are assessed through the Australasian New
Car Assessment Program?
LONDON-STYLE CABS — SAFETY CONCERNS
436. Ms R. SAFFIOTI to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to safety concerns expressed
by taxidrivers in relation to the London–style taxi cabs being operated
on Perth roads.
(1) In light
of the concerns raised yesterday, what is the government doing to ensure that
these cabs are safe for the travelling public?
(2) What
assessment did the government undertake before it committed money to the trial?
(3) Will the
minister now ensure that these cabs are assessed through the Australasian New
Car Assessment Program?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3)
London cabs meet the Australian safety standards. It was actually approved by
the previous federal Labor government.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Midland!
Mr
W.J. Johnston : The question was: what was the ANCAP?
Mr
D.C. NALDER : Mr Speaker, three questions were asked and I am getting to
them.
The
SPEAKER : Continue.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : Thank you, Mr Speaker.
The London cabs were actually
approved by the previous federal Labor government as complying with the
relevant Australian design rules. These cars are deemed to be roadworthy. There
were issues raised with the Department of Transport about concerns regarding
the brakes. The department conducted tests on the vehicles and found that they
were compliant and met the required standard. We have looked at those tests and
considered the results. The cabs do meet the requirements. There are 30 000 of
these cabs worldwide. Victoria is also undertaking a trial. These cabs are
privately owned; they are not government vehicles. They meet the Australian
safety standards. Having had some concerns, we checked them out and found them
to be fine.
Mrs
M.H. Roberts : They haven't had an ANCAP assessment. How would you
know?
The
SPEAKER : Member for Midland, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : The supplier of the vehicles into Australia has undertaken to
carry out further tests on the brakes at its cost, with no cost to the
customer. I will hold further meetings this week.
With regard to new car assessment
program safety ratings, that is a voluntary system. The Mercedes S-Class is not
ANCAP safety rated.
Mr
W.J. Johnston interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : A number of other safety initiatives have been implemented on
the London taxi cabs, including separating the driver from the passenger.
This is a trial, and it has been
warmly received by members of the broader community. They want more of these
cabs; they find them quite attractive. These cabs have actually increased the
profile of Black and White Cabs within the community because that is who is
bringing these cabs in. We support the trial. The purpose of a trial is to look
at and investigate ways that it can prove or improve before we roll it out
further.
London cabs meet the Australian safety standards. It was actually approved by
the previous federal Labor government.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Midland!
Mr
W.J. Johnston : The question was: what was the ANCAP?
Mr
D.C. NALDER : Mr Speaker, three questions were asked and I am getting to
them.
The
SPEAKER : Continue.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : Thank you, Mr Speaker.
The London cabs were actually
approved by the previous federal Labor government as complying with the
relevant Australian design rules. These cars are deemed to be roadworthy. There
were issues raised with the Department of Transport about concerns regarding
the brakes. The department conducted tests on the vehicles and found that they
were compliant and met the required standard. We have looked at those tests and
considered the results. The cabs do meet the requirements. There are 30 000 of
these cabs worldwide. Victoria is also undertaking a trial. These cabs are
privately owned; they are not government vehicles. They meet the Australian
safety standards. Having had some concerns, we checked them out and found them
to be fine.
Mrs
M.H. Roberts : They haven't had an ANCAP assessment. How would you
know?
The
SPEAKER : Member for Midland, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : The supplier of the vehicles into Australia has undertaken to
carry out further tests on the brakes at its cost, with no cost to the
customer. I will hold further meetings this week.
With regard to new car assessment
program safety ratings, that is a voluntary system. The Mercedes S-Class is not
ANCAP safety rated.
Mr
W.J. Johnston interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : A number of other safety initiatives have been implemented on
the London taxi cabs, including separating the driver from the passenger.
This is a trial, and it has been
warmly received by members of the broader community. They want more of these
cabs; they find them quite attractive. These cabs have actually increased the
profile of Black and White Cabs within the community because that is who is
bringing these cabs in. We support the trial. The purpose of a trial is to look
at and investigate ways that it can prove or improve before we roll it out
further.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.